Well, At Least They Tried: Notorious Celebrity Comeback Fails

There’s nothing better than when a favored star who’s fallen on bad luck returns to the spotlight energized and renewed. Think Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, and even Michael Vick. But the sad reality is that comebacks are harder than we think – and certainly not wholly dependent on talent. Just ask these 15 celebs who failed (miserably) in their attempts. They know the deal.

Jodeci

We lost all of the R&B magic that was Jodeci in 1998 when the group went on hiatus – and it looks like we’ll never get it back. Just two months ago, the group attempted a comeback in London and not 30 seconds in, Mr. Dalvin had jumped off the stage, busted his arse and needed security’s help just to get back on. Then when he did get back on he, K-Ci and Jo-Jo (Devante was a no-show) sang out of tune, stumbled around the stage drunk and got straight up boo-ed. They then begged the audience to let them continue, before another group had to take over and finish their set. How horribly embarrassing.

Source: WENN

Ashanti

A black sheer cat suit? A braided crown with purple lipstick? A Whitney Houston tribute without a Whitney Houston caliber voice?! Anybody on Ashanti’s team could’ve kindly suggested that a comeback attempt using any one of these elements would be a terrible fail – as it was. Just check it out for yourself:

Lindsay Lohan

After five years and no starring roles, Lindsay Lohan’s management decided that the best way to orchestrate the fallen star’s return to grace would be by making her a “serious” actress – because you know she can’t live off those Mean Girls royalties forever. So she landed the part of Elizabeth Taylor in the highly anticipated biopic Liz & Dick – and bombed.

In fact, LiLo did so poorly that critics had a field day going in on how much of a fail the whole shebang was. The Chicago Tribune said, “Let’s not pretend it ever had a shot at being decent. Lindsay Lohan as Oscar-winning screen legend Elizabeth Taylor told us right up front that the filmmakers were more interested in trashy publicity than quality.” Probably true, but still ouch.

Credit: AP Image

Ja Rule

Poor Ja Rule. 50 Cent destroyed his career years ago and he still can’t get his isht back on track. In 2009, he released his comeback album two years after its original release date. But poor reception and even poorer chart performance left him no choice but to offer the entire thing as a free download.

Brandy and Monica

Brandy and Monica really thought they’d recreated “The Boy is Mine” with “It All Belongs To Me,” only to quickly realize that no, they had not. Sure it was a nice idea, and certainly a solid attempt at a comeback on both women’s parts, but the corniness of two grown women singing about bum a$$ men just never caught on. And sadly, the single languished in “flop”land.

Source: WENN

Britney Spears

When word got out that Britney Spears would be joining the X Factor judging panel, everyone was hoping that the move would be a comeback win. But ultimately, Britney’s participation in the show did little, if anything, for her celebrity and absolutely nothing for her fading music career… I mean, have you heard Will.i.am’s “Scream and Shout” featuring her? Horrible, just horrible.

Lil’ Kim

In 2011, Lil Kim made her grand return to hip hop with the release of the Nicki Minaj dis record Black Friday. But though it may have been a cute concept initially, it was ultimately a comeback fail for two reasons: First, Kim’s insults were weak; and second, she charged $9.99 for the mixtape. Enough said.

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Dru Hill

After six years of no Dru Hill, the group reassembled in 2008 to announce their comeback on Baltimore radio station 92Q Jams – and straight out the gate that mess fell apart. While on the air ACTUALLY announcing their comeback, James “Woody” Green declared that he would be quitting the Dru to answer God’s call – and that’s when things went South. Shocked and embarrassed, Sisqo and his platinum head stormed out the studio and sped off in a vehicle, while Nokio and Woody got into a legit fight in-studio and on-air. But don’t just take my word for it. Peep the ratchetness for yourself:

Image Source: WENN

Sharon Stone

Basic Instinct was easily the most successful film of Sharon Stone’s career. So when she fell off in the late 90’s, she attempted to reenter the spotlight by starring in what else – a Basic Instinct sequel. But though that strategy seemed foolproof, the movie was a complete bomb. It only made back $6 million of its $70 million budget and sat in the theaters for a depressing 17 days.

Image Source: WENN.com

DMX

In 2012, DMX attempted an international comeback tour that was red-lighted after a string of legal infractions left his passport suspended. The booking agency that had footed the bill for the tour then sued him for a hefty $630,000 for his failure to meet contractual obligations. Talk about a comeback gone wrong!

Source: WENN

Ray J

If we are to even consider Ray J’s “I Hit It First” a sincere attempt at making music then yes, it was a comeback fail. The 32-year old R&B singer has not released anything in five years, and certainly nothing nearly as successful as “S*xy Can I” and “One Wish.” It’s almost a shame that he chose a Kim K/Kanye West dis track to mark his return to the biz. But he did, and it bombed.

Mel Gibson

In the wake of all the racist, homophobic, anti-Semitic, domestic abuse drama, Mel Gibson attempted to revamp his tarnished image by starring in an offbeat drama that displayed his acting chops in new ways. The Beaver, released in 2011 got somewhat okay reviews but completely flopped in theaters. It never even became a wide release.

Shyne

Shyne’s had a rough… forever… so when he finally got out of jail everyone was hoping that his comeback would be fire, like the good old days. But unfortunately for Shyne, the rap game has changed and he just hasn’t been able to catch up. His flow is played out, his voice is different and it seems he’s more concerned with getting back to the US than buckling down and grinding out a hit.

Image Source: WENN

Dustin Diamond

Dustin Diamond fell to Z-list celebrity status after his time on Saved By The Bell and all its spinoffs ended. So, in an attempt to comeback (to relevance we assume) Diamond released Screeched – Saved By The Smell, a porno directed by and starring him. Needless to say, he remained a Z-lister.

I will just hold on to my Dru Hill classics forever. The magic can never be reconstituted. I HEARD that interview & 92Q is partly responsible for instigating the stupidity. But that is the most ratchet radio station in history. I’ve since stopped listening.

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Brandy & Monica seem to be doing just fine separately. So WHAT the single didn’t catch on. Monica album sales are alright.

Ms. Bee

I’m going to give the author of this article the benefit of the doubt and say I think they meant Brandy and Monica as a duet. Individually they’re great, as a duet, their “comeback” was meek.

bigdawgman

Alexander O’Neal??? Dayum bruh, that was painful to watch. Somebody should have gotten their *ss kicked HAARD for putting him on stage. Hell, I can go down to the crackhouse to see that.

Kittencakes

Watching Ashanti struggle like that was painful. She didn’t sound that bad it’s just her voice isn’t powerful so it sounded like a kid at a talent show…she tried though.

UniQueLyEviL

This was depressing.

wasboredtoday

I think the person who wrote this article needed to fill space because, Brandy & Monica shouldn’t be on this list. They both have made quality music lately. Britney Spears? Not liking her music is one thing, but check you facts. Scream and Shout was number 1 in 24 countries, and top ten in several others including getting to #3 here in the US.

ThaVoiceoftheVoiceless

Although I think Scream and Shout is one of the worst songs ever written, your right. The numbers speak for themselves.

brandy and monica… seriously madame noire… both ladies had good albums and still book shows and tour…everybody doesn’t want to megastars some people just want to make good music and tell their story

JRoc85

Amen

randomtandem

true

Suchalady

Totally agreed. The author just didn’t like the song and thought everyone shared her opinion. I swear people forget how HUGE Brandy was.

Yeppers

Actually alot of of your favorite stars do want to be megastars. Everyone doesn’t want the never ending fame attack that some of the biggest stars face, but they are all in this game to SELL RECORDS and perform all over the world and be recognized. Even brandy said she wants to be recognized more. But the public is fickle and you have to appeal to younger audiences these days. If you are still singing lounge music or have a somewhat forced image because you are trying to seem “younger” then it’s not gon connect with teens… I think that’s a problem Monica and brandy have. Kids especially the BEIBER Age are making the beyonces and Taylor swifts and beibers of our age MEGASTARS. Spending/fan power isn’t in the hands of Monica/brandy fans any more unfortunately.